Marine float



Sept. 3, 1963 l H. B. sHEFFlELD 3,102,503

MARINE FLOAT Filed Nov. l0, 1960 Hill f" N IN V EN TOR.

HAROLD 5.5HEFF/ELD ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1963 H. B. SHEFFIELD MARINE FLOAT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 10, 1960 INVENTOR.

HAROLD B. SHEFF/ELD ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1963 H. B. sHEr-*FIELD MARINE FLOAT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. l0. 1960 INVENTOR. HA RUL 0 B, SHEFF/ELD ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,102,503 MARINE FLQAT Harold B. Sheield, San Rafael, Calif., assigner to H. Koch @a Sons, Corte Madera, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 68,394 8 Claims. (Cl. 114-.5)

This invention relates to a marine iioat and more particularly buoyant struc-tures` and method of combining them into floating surfaces of various types suitable for docks, platforms and the like.

The important feature of the invention is that it provides -iiexibility of combinations of fiberglass floats into docks or platforms of various types, shapes and sizes according to need, which need no painting or maintenance, and which is fire-resistant, corrosion-proof, waterlog-proof, crack-chip and splinter-proof and which is resistant t gasoline, oil, 4dry rot, marine borers and other destructive elements, land whereby recurring maintenance costs, unsightly weathering,' splintering and wear are completely obviated.

A specific feature of the invention is to provide a berglass oat which is double-heeled and adapted to be quickly provided with an interior ballast for Isuitable buoyancy, and Iwhich is completely enclosed and is completely water-proof, and the top plate of which is an integral part of the float and which is also adapted to fonm part of the deck or wharf of the ultimate platform.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a float as laforedescri'bed with spacer deck plates which are also made of fiberglass and which are also adapted to form part of the deck or wall contiguous-ly with the top plates of the respective floats, so that the iioats are spaced apart at a considerable distance and thereby permit the passage of tlotsarn between the respective buoyant floats.

Another feature of the invention is the provision on both the top plates `and also on the spacing plates integral friction projections `arranged in such manner as to provide drainage into intercommunicating channels and thereby provide a ydeck which is self-draining and which is anti-fouling because the dirt that might be clogged between the ridges of the respective friction bosses are washed out with the drainage.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the gen-eral arrangements and combinations iof the several devices and parts, as well as -in the details lof the construction thereof without departing from the scope o-f the present invention `as set forth in the following specification, :and as ydefined in the following claims; hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said ydev-ice and parts as described in the said specilication, nor `do I confine myself to the exact details :of the construction of the said parts las illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which Will be made manifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to the accompanying `drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

`FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a floating dock'constructed from spaced floats.

FIG. 2 is la side elevation of said floating dock in the water.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dock structure.

FlG. 4 is a fragmental sectional view showing `the connection between the iianges of Ithe top plate of the float and the spacer plate.

FIG. 5 is a fragmental top plan view showing the selfdrawing friction ridges ,arranged in lgroups or bosses.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional View of a float structure, taken on lines 6 6 of FiG. 2, Iand ICS FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 7 7 of FIG. 2.

The method of forming a dock or the like, in the present illustration, includes the steps of forming a plurality of fiberglass lfloats, each float being ydouble-keeled and each iioat -having an integral top plate adapted to .form part of the deck surface, `and spacing the floats yapart from one another by fiber-glass deck plates contiguously with the top plates of the respective floats so as to leave considerable space between the floats; and holding the spaced floats :and the spacing deck plates in a predetermined position against hinging, in the present illustration by suitable frames or stringers, thereby to form a deck of suitable coniguration and area. Another step in the method of forming a dock is the introduction of ballast into the ldouble keels of the respective iioats so as to individually adjust each tioat to a suitable buoyancy and center of gravity in order to maintain the entire deck :at a suitable level. Another step in this method is the forming of the float -with such contour `as to proportionately reduce the immersion of the floats inversely to the load upon the deck, after predetermining the initial innnersion or buoyancy lof the iioats under the load of the assembled structure.

In the present illustration there is provided a hollow buoyant float 1 molded out of fiberglass plastic. Each float `1 is provided `with a double keel 2 by the provision of inwardly extended channel 3 so that the pockets 4 formed inside of the keels 2 are substantially parallel and equal.

-Each float 1 is generally rectangular and the side and end walls thereof extend from the bottoms of `the keels 2 toward the top outwardly inclined. A ledge 6 outwardly projects from every side land is located above the keels 2 and nearer to the bottom than the top of each float l. The portions of the side walls above the ledge 6 extend to the top of the lioat and terminate in outwardly extended horizontal flanges 7. On the top of each float land tothe top of the horizontal flanges 7 is integrally secured by suitable plastic cement a top plate 8 which completely covers the tops of the horizontal tianges 7 and which also has on its outer edges downwardly extended securing iianges 9, along the outside edges of the horizontal flanges 7. This is a unitary structure as a float which can be used as part of the `assembly :as hereinafter described.

ln order to predetermine the buoyancy of each float 1 selectively there is provided a port 11 in the middle of each top plate 8 lwhich is large enough for the insertion of Va hand or a suitable scooper tool for pouring in or taking out some ballast sand when so desired.. Usually through this hole `11 a predetermined amount of sand or similar granulous ballast is introduced which divides itself between the pockets `4 `and covers the inner rwall of the channel 3. On the average the ballast is at about a level somewhat llower than the level of the ledge 6, but it can be predetermined according to the `desirable `initial immersion of the iioat 1. The hole 11 is covered by a plate or plug 12 set in a recess 13 in the top of the top plate 8. This closure plate 12 may be permanently secured in place Iafter the ballast -is suitably inserted in the float, or it may be made removable, but at all times waterproof. In the present illustration the closure plate 12 is cemented in place `in the recess 13 after the suitable ballast is predetermined in the float.

While these individual floats may be employed in different kinds of -uses Vwhere such buoyancy is needed, it is, in the present illustration, the object to produce a dock, lthe deck of which is for-med by the top plates `8 of the several floats i1. For this purpose, there are used spacer deck plates 16 which are generally rectangular and each is `generally of the same size and shape as the top plate 8'. Each deck plate 16 also has downwardly extended flanges the respective fiberglass structures.

.17 around the edges thereof. These securing flanges of the deck plate, are secured first to the adjacent ange 9 of the float l by means of suitable clamps or bolts 18 as shown in FIG. 4. These secured flanges 9 'and 17 respectively of top plates l8 tand deck plates f6 fare transverse with respect yto the deck `as shown in FIG. 3.

In the present illustration, there is one deck plate 16 between each pair of adjacent floats 1, but other suitable spacing may be also similarly arranged.

In order to prevent hinging action between the secured flanges 9 and 17 and to hold the assembled deck plates and floats together `as a unit rigidly, there is a `frame pro vided around the respective flanges of the respective top plates 8 and deck plates '16. rlhis frame, in the present illustration, includes a Stringer rl-91 along each side of the deck structure longitudinally and in contact with the aligned flanges 9 and 17 of the respective top plates 8 and -deck plates v16 as shown in FIGS. 6r and 7. On the inside face of each Stringer 19 there is la shoulder Stringer 21-which is so spaced from the Itop of the stringer 19 as .to form a shoulder 22 in engagement with the lower edges of the respective flanges 9 and 17 as shown in FIGS. 6` and 7.

The stringers 19 and 2.1 are :then held together by transverse bolts 23 which extend through Vopposite str-ingers 19 and also .through the inside stringers 2l .and through a spacer tube 24. The ends of `the spacer tube 24 abut against the inner faces of .the inner stringers 21 so that when suitable nuts 26 on 'the `louter ends of the lbolts 23 are tightened, then the respective shoulder stringers Z1 engage the ends of the tube 2.4 in compression so as to hold the structure together securely spaced.

The stringers 19 preferably extend beyond the extreme floats 1 at each end `of the structure and between the stringers ll9lthere is formed a suitable frame structure indicated at Z7 at one end and suitable for use as `an end of the `dock and preferably covered with `a deck plate similar to the spacer plate heretofore described. At the other end of the dock is a suitable outwardly spreading frame structure `28 adapted lfor anchoring or securing to al dock structure on the land from which the floating dock extends. Suitable bolts 29 secure the structure together.

In order to .provide .continuous drainage on fthe top of lthe entire deck, each .top plate 8 'and also each spacer or deck plate 16 is formed with integral surface friction ebosses 32. Each friction 'boss is formed of a plurality of preferably parallel ridges 33. Between the adjacent ridges I3? are formed parallel grooves or channels 34. The bosses 32 are spaced from one another in the manner shown in FIG. so as to provide on the deck surface intersecting parallel transverse drainage channels 36 and longitudinal channels 37 intersecting the transverse channels. Thus any water on the surface will flow between the ridges E33l into the respective channels 36 and 3'7 and then flows off the entire deck. This is also antifouling because any dirt on the surface lof the deck is washed off with the drainage.

lIt is to be noted that these friction bosses `to prevent slipping are not inserts lbut are integrally preformed in In other words, the entire pattern of the anti-friction bosses 32 which -forms the intercommunicating self-draining system is integrally molded as part of the respective plates y8` and 16. It is further to be noted that in this fiberglass structure both in the deck and the floats the-color is permanently molded in the material so as to avoid lthe necessity of' painting the float.

ln operation, first the desirable shape, length, size or outline of Athe deck structure or surface is determined and then the respective floats are connected by the spacer plates into the deck structure as heretofore described. Then the side stringers are applied in position. The end frame 27 usually made of wood is bolted to the side stringers 19 and also .tothe last deck plate flange 17 adjacent thereto. A bracket or dock end frame 28 preferably made of wood is bolted together in suitable form and to the stringers 19' as well as to `the adjacent flanges 17 of the adjacent deck plate le. Then the structure is secured or anchored to the land dock in any conventional manner. Several of such deck structures may be connected together so as to provide crosswalks between the elongated deck structures herein illustrated and con necting them into -a larger area of several berths for boats and the like.

The plugs or closure plates 12 are then removed and the ballast is introduced or adjusted so as to immerse the respective floats ll to about the ledge 6 throughout the entire assembled structure. Thereafter .the plugs f2 are secured in place. Initially before t-he ballast is introduced the floats would float near above the bottom of the double keels 2, Ithen the center of gravity is lowered by the ballast so as -to 4immerse the respective floats to about the ledge 6 or slightly above the same, at any rate, above the double keel 2 so that .the keels remain irnmersed. The structure of the floats is all-enclosed plastic structure. There are no bolts in any of lthe floats or in the float area and each float is completely waterproof and there lis no possibility of leakage. The dou-ble keel structure provides lfor ballast and also for stability and prevents excessive twisting forces by .the waves in the water. The top plate is inten-rally cemented and for-ms part of the `oat so that each -fioat inclusive the top yforms an integral hollow unit. The ,top plate also is preformed with the friction bosses .to form a `contiguous port-ion of the deck sur-face. The raised pattern forming intercommunicating drainage channels ibetween the raised bosses throughout the entire deck surface produces also a friction surface to prevent slipping on :the walking surface and at the same time it facilitates the washing of 4the dirt out of the ridges of the surface with the drainage.

As the contour of the flo-at at the ledge is enlarged and then flares outwardly on each float, it results in increased volume of displacement in the upper portion of each oat and it creates proportionately increased 'volume which will be immersed in the wat-er in proportion to 'the weight imposed upon the deck. This immersion, however, vertically will .be proportionately less immersion per pound as the load is increased and applied because of the upwardly increasing volume of buoyancy of each float.

The entire `construction is prefabricated and assembled into suitable units according to the desirability `for the local condi-tions on the particular installation. lIt can be quickly assembled and placed and thereafter it will form a permanent unitary structure which will not deteriora-te inthe manner of previous structures, and which does not require servicing, scraping or painting, and the buoyancy of which will remain constant throughout the life of the deck structure.

I claim: A

l. A floating structure comprising a plurality of individual hollow, waterproof floats spaced from one another, an individual fiat deck top secured to and covering each float, an individual lspacing deck plate in each space. between adjacent floats contiguous with said deck tops, means to secure each spacing deck plate'to the adjacent floats, `and longitudinal frame-members along opposite sides of the spaced floats and Vplates for holding said plates and floats together and to -stifen said floats and plates, and perpendicular flanges extended from the top of each float spaced from the outside peripheries of each fioat and perpendicular securing anges extended from the edges of said spacer plates and adapted to abut the respective perpendicular flanges of the respective floats, and said securing means fastening adjacent abutting perpendicular flanges together. l Y

2. The fioating structure defined in claim l, wherein each float is formed with a double keel in'its bottom, said double keel being hollow, and ballast introduced into said hollow double keel for stabilizing each float for immersion to a predetermined depth.

3. The floating structure defined in claim 2, wherein said double keel is formed by -a channel extended inwardly of `and ialong t-he entire bottom, `and said floats being arranged in said floating structure so that the said channels of the series of floats are aligned substantially longitudinally of said floating structure.

4. The floating structure ydefined in claim 1, each iloat top having a port therein for the introduction and removal of ballast into ysaid float, `and a closure to cover said port.

5. The floating structure defined in claim 1, the said contiguous ilat tops and spacer deck plates 'being lmade of liber-glass plastic yand forming la level deck, la system' of raised friction elements molded in spaced groups integrally of said fiberglass plastic on the top surface of said lat top `and said spacer plate, each of said groups of :friction elements including alternate ridges `and grooves therein to prevent slipping, the said spaced lgroups defining therebetween a system of intersecting drainage channels on said surface.

6. A floating structure :comprising fa plurality of individual hollow, waterproof floats spaced from one another, an individual fiat deck top secured to and covering each float, `an individual spacing deck plate in each space between adjacent floats contiguous with said ldeck tops, means to secure each spacing deck plate to the adjacent oats, and longitudinal frame members `along opposite sides of the spaced floats Iand plates for holding said plates and floats together `and to -stiffen said floats `and plates, the top of each float having outwardly extended flanges all around, each flat deck top :being superimposed on said ilanges, downwardly extended flanges from the edges of each iiat deck top being spaced fromthe respeetive sides of the iioat, and ldownwardly extended flanges from the edges of each spacer plate engageable with said downwandly extended anges of lthe float tops for securing the same together.

7. The oating structure defined in claim 6, said longitudinal frame members including stringers extended along the downwardly extended iianges longitudinally of the assembled structure and being secured to said `adjacent downwardly extended flanges.

8. The floating structure defined in claim 6 said longitudinal frame members including stringers extended along the downwardly extended flanges longitudinally of the assembled structure and being secured to said adjacent downwardly extended flanges, `and a shoulder formed on said stringers under said respective .downwardly extending flanges. f

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 88,836 Wheeler Dec. 27, 1932 1,900,319 Vermeulen Mar. 7, 1933 1,903,291 Griflin Apr. 4, 1933 2,230,506 Vissering Feb. 4, 1941 2,394,764 Greulich Feb. 12, 1946 2,564,123 Melges Aug. 14, 1951 2,585,180 Smith Feb. 12, 1952 2,592,626 Wanless Apr. 15, 1952 2,879,735 Pointer Mar. 31, 1959 2,945,466 Shelton July 19, 1960 2,950,701 Stefani Aug. 30, 1960 3,009,326 Williams Nov. 21, 1961 3,012,533 Tellefsen Dec. 12, 1961 

1. A FLOATING STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL HOLLOW, WATERPROOF FLOATS SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER, AN INDIVIDUAL FLAT DECK TOP SECURED TO AND COVERING EACH FLOAT, AN INDIVIDUAL SPACING DECK PLATE IN EACH SPACE BETWEEN ADJACENT FLOATS CONTIGUOUS WITH SAID DECK TOPS, MEANS TO SECURE EACH SPACING DECK PLATE TO THE ADJACENT FLOATS, AND LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SPACED FLOATS AND PLATES FOR HOLDING SAID PLATES AND FLOATS TOGETHER AND TO STIFFEN SAID FLOATS AND PLATES, AND PERPENDICULAR FLANGES EXTENDED FROM THE TOP OF EACH FLOAT SPACED FROM THE OUTSIDE PERIPHERIES OF EACH FLOAT AND PERPENDICULAR SECURING FLANGES EXTENDED FROM THE EDGES OF SAID SPACER PLATES AND ADAPTED TO ABUT THE RESPECTIVE PERPENDICULAR FLANGES OF THE RESPECTIVE FLOATS, AND SAID SECURING MEANS FASTENING ADJACENT ABUTTING PERPENDICULAR FLANGES TOGETHER. 